Posted on 06/27/2014 3:57:51 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Corruption case brings under focus role of magic in crimes
The highly charged trial of a judge, who claimed that he was possessed by a jinni to explain cases of financial irregularities and corruption against him, has begun in Saudi Arabia.
The judge and 36 accomplices who appeared in a court in Madina in western Saudi Arabia on Wednesday face charges of financial and administrative corruption, fraud, abusing people’s rights and possessions, abuse of power and bribery.
Three judges are looking into the case, and the trial is expected to last at least one year with a high number of people involved and the highly intricate situation, sources close to the court told local daily Okaz.
The “jinni judge” as he became to be known in Saudi Arabia after he repeatedly defended his actions by claiming that he was under the spell of a jinn at the time of the alleged acts of corruption and bribery, will have to appoint a new lawyer after his former advocate opted out of the case this week.
Salem Atiyyah, the lawyer who withdrew from the case after one year of representing the judge, said that he could not continue defending a suspect “who concealed many things that emerged later.”
However, some fellow lawyers said that he should not have pulled out.
“His decision to withdraw gives the impression to society that the suspect is guilty before the judge issues his verdict,” the paper quoted them as saying on Thursday.
The judge has been suspended for over two years now after initial investigations revealed cases of corruption, abuse and bribery.
The case had triggered an intense debate in Saudi Arabia amid arguments over the possible role of magic or genies in people’s actions.
According to those who see a role for genies, people under a spell are possessed by a genie that takes control of their minds and makes them do or say anything without them being aware they are committing an illegal act.
However, opponents refuse to make magic a legal argument in a court of law and insist that people are responsible for their acts and that claiming that someone is possessed by a jinni or an evil spirit does not mean he or she is innocent and can therefore get away with illegal acts.
They argue Islamic law insists on tangible proof for everything, making it obligatory for those who claim they are under a spell to produce witnesses or evidence.
Paging Lois Lerner
What’s a “jinni?” I dream of Jinni?
It is a ballsy move, to blame your crimes on bewitchment by Barbara Eden.
I tried the old genie defense when my high school sweetheart’s Dad caught me in the back seat of my Oldsmobile with his daughter. I told him I was rubbing his daughter’s “Magic Lamps” to make the genie appear.
That man had no sense of humor.
He said that if any genie showed up around his daughter, he’d cut it into pieces and feed it to the chickens.
Totally ruined the romantic mood.
It worked for Michael Ansara.
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